Bra with Storage Pocket

ABSTRACT

Each cup of the bra is provided on the inside with a zippered pocket. An intermediate ply of resilient foam material in each pocket is deformable on one side about an item in the pocket while remaining in smooth even contact on an opposite side with the outer ply of the cup. Each side panel of the bra may also have a zippered pocket on the inside.

This invention relates to a bra with one or more storage pockets.

As is known, various types of bras have been fabricated with pockets orpouches in order to hold items, such as, credit cards, car keys, cellphones and the like. Examples of such bras are described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 7,364,491; 6,626,733; 6,176,761; 2,503,847 and 2,492862. Generally,the fabrication of the pockets in these bras has been such that thepockets or pouches have been readily visible to others than the user. Inaddition, when items are placed in the pockets, bulges appear in theoutside of the bra.

Accordingly, It is an object of the invention to provide a pocket in abra for receiving one of more items that is conveniently located for thewearer.

It is another object of the invention to provide a concealed pocket in abra for receiving one of more items.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bra with a built-inpocket that does not present any aesthetically displeasing bulges due tothe presence of one or more items in the pocket.

Briefly, the invention provides a bra comprised of a pair of cupswherein each cup is of multi-ply construction with a built-in pocket.

In particular, each cup has an outer ply of material, an inner ply ofmaterial secured to the outer ply to define an enclosed space and anintermediate ply of resilient foam material disposed between the outerply and the inner ply. In addition, a fourth ply of material is sewn orotherwise secured to the inner ply in order to form the built-in pocketwith an opening extending along the upper section of the cup.

In accordance with the invention, the intermediate ply of foam materialis characterized in being deformable on one side about an item in thepocket while being in smooth even contact on an opposite side with theouter ply. That is, the intermediate ply is of a relatively softdeformable material so that an item in the pocket of a cup presses intothe foam material without creating a bulge on the opposite side (theoutside) of the intermediate ply. For example, the foam material is madeof a breathable viscoelastic memory foam which is pressure-absorbing innature, similar to a temperpedic pillow. This foam material will alsoprevent perspiration in the breast cup area.

In one embodiment, the outer ply of each cup of the bra is of a hardermaterial than the intermediate ply of foam material to ensure that thesofter intermediate ply does not cause a bulge in the outer ply when oneor more items are placed in a pocket of the cup.

In order to provide for closure of a pocket, each cup has a zipper sewninto the inner ply in a conventional manner. Typically, the zipper isdisposed along an upper section of a cup to allow for convenient accessto the pocket therein. In addition, each cup has a flap on the inner plyfor covering over the zipper in order to provide keep the zipper fromcontacting the skin of a wearer, Typically, the flap is made of a softmaterial that is compatible with the use of the bra.

In another embodiment, the bra is fabricated with at least one sidepanel that extends laterally of the pair of cups and that is providedwith a pouch for receiving a small item, such as a credit card. In thisembodiment, a zipper is provided for closing the pouch along with a flapfor covering over the zipper.

The bra of the invention may be constructed in any suitable manner orstyle, for example for use as an everyday bra, a multiway bra or asports bra.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an everyday bra constructed inaccordance with the invention on the body of a user;

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the inside of a multiway bra constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of a side panel of the bra of FIG. 2 with apocket in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective front view of a sports bra inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of he sports bra of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, the bra 10 is of generally conventional structureand style for use as an everyday bra having a pair of cups 11 connectedto a gore 12 in a cleavage zone (i.e. the middle of the bra 10), anunderwire 13, a pair of side panels 14 (only one of which is shown) thatcan be connected together at the back of the bra 10 in any conventionalmanner and a pair of shoulder straps 15.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, wherein like reference charactersindicate like parts as above, the bra 10 is constructed and styled foruse as a multiway bra wherein each cup 11 is of multi-ply constructionwith a built-in pocket 16.

Referring to FIG. 6, each cup 11 has an outer ply of material 17, aninner ply of material 18, e.g. sewn to the outer ply 17, and anintermediate ply 19 of resilient foam material disposed between saidouter ply 17 and inner ply 18. In addition, a fourth ply of material 20is sewn or otherwise secured to the inner ply 18 in order to form thepocket 16 with an opening extending along the upper section of the cup11.

A zipper 21 is sewn between the third and fourth plys 18, 20 in order toprovide a closure for the pocket 16. As illustrated in FIG. 2, thezipper 21 in the left-hand cup 11 has a slider 22 that moves from leftto right to open the pocket 16 while the zipper 21 in the right-hand cup11 has a slider 22 that moves from right to left to open the pocket 16therein.

In addition, a flap 23 is secured on the inner ply 18 of each cup 11 forcovering over the zipper 21 in order to provide keep the zipper 21 fromcontacting the skin of a wearer. Typically, the flap 23 is made of asoft material that is compatible with the use of the bra 10. Asillustrated, the flap 23 extends across the upper edge of the cup 11 andis of a suitable width to cover over a zipper 21.

Each pocket 16 is sized to provide ample space for receiving one or moreitems (not shown). As illustrated, each pocket 16 occupies a majorfraction of the back of a cup 11. However, the each pocket 16 may bemade of a smaller size, for example, of a size to snugly receive a cellphone.

In accordance with the invention, the intermediate ply 19 of resilientfoam material is characterized in being deformable on one side about anitem (not shown) in the pocket 16 while remaining in smooth even contacton an opposite side with the outer ply 17. That is, the intermediate ply19 is of a relatively soft deformable material so that an item in thepocket 15 of a cup 11 presses into the foam material without creating abulge on the opposite side (the out side) of the intermediate ply 19 orin the outer ply 17. For example, the intermediate ply 19 is one-halfinch thick and is made of a breathable viscoelastic memory foam which ispressure-absorbing in nature.

In one embodiment, the outer ply 17 of each cup 11 of the bra 10 is of aharder material than the intermediate ply 19 to ensure that the softerintermediate ply 19 does not cause a bulge in the outer ply 17 when oneor more items are placed in a pocket of the cup.

Referring to FIG. 3, each side panel 14 (only one of which is shown) ofthe bra 10 is provided with a pouch 24 for receiving a small item oritems, such as a credit card 25 and key 26. In similar manner to thepocket 16, the pouch 24 is formed by a panel 27 of fabric sewn orotherwise secured to the side panel 14, a zipper 28 and a flap 29 forcovering over the zipper 28.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein like reference characters indicatelike parts as above, the bra 10′ may be fabricated as a one-piece sportsbra with cups 11, support straps 15 and a back 30. As above, each cup 11has a pocket 16 for receiving one or more items. In addition, a pouch 24is provided in the side of the bra 10′ for receiving small items, 25,26.

The invention thus provides a bra with concealed built-in pockets thatprovide a smooth even appearance with one or more items in the pockets.

Further, the invention provides a bra with one or more concealed pocketsthat can be readily accessed by the wearer and closed utilizing zippersfor quick and easy access and closure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bra comprising a pair of cups; each said cuphaving an outer ply of material, an inner ply of material secured to theouter ply, an intermediate ply of resilient foam material disposedbetween said outer ply and said inner ply, and a fourth ply of materialsecured to said inner ply to form a pocket therewith with an openingextending along the upper section of the cup, said intermediate plybeing characterized in being deformable on one side thereof about anitem in said pocket while being in smooth even contact on an oppositeside thereof with said outer ply.
 2. A bra as set forth in claim 1wherein said outer ply of each said cup is of a harder material thansaid intermediate ply.
 3. A bra as set forth in claim 1 wherein eachsaid cup has a zipper in said inner ply thereof for closing said pocketthereof.
 4. A bra as set forth in claim 3 wherein each said cup has aflap on said inner ply thereof for covering over said zipper.
 5. A braas set forth in claim 3 wherein said zipper of each said cup is disposedalong an upper section of each said cup.
 6. A bra as set forth in claim1 further comprising at least one side panel extending laterally of saidpair of cups and having a pouch therein, a zipper for closing said pouchand a flap for covering over said zipper.